Wednesday, December 13, 2023 - 09:30am

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is inviting residents to a quarterly update about the state’s efforts to make it easier for North Dakotans with physical disabilities to live at home with in-home help and other community support services on Thursday, Dec. 14, 1-3 p.m. CT in Bismarck or virtually.   

The goal is to improve the quality of life for North Dakotans by ensuring people have care options and can delay or avoid nursing home care if they choose.   

The agenda for the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) Settlement Agreement Stakeholder meeting includes year three USDOJ settlement agreement end-of-year data, year four USDOJ settlement agreement implementation plan, Qualified Service Provider (QSP) Hub update and results from the QSP survey, Aging and Disability Resource Link Transition and Diversion program updates, North Dakota Housing Finance Agency universal design and accessibility consideration in upcoming funding applications, supplement services and a North Dakota stakeholder listening session. 

Individuals can attend the stakeholder meeting in-person or virtually by phone or device. The in-person meeting will take place at HHS Prairie Hills Plaza offices at 1237 W. Divide Ave., Suite 6, in Bismarck. Attendees should enter through door No. 2.   

Those who prefer to participate in the meeting virtually using computers, mobile devices or telephone can find details in the Dec. 14 meeting notice at hhs.nd.gov/news/publicnotice.   

Individuals with disabilities who need accommodations to participate in the stakeholder meeting can contact Michele Curtis at (701) 328-8679, 711 (TTY) or mimcurtis@nd.gov.    

To find help with housecleaning, meal preparation, nonmedical transportation, personal care needs and other in-home and community-based services and support, North Dakotans can contact the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Link toll-free at (855) 462-5465, 711 (TTY) or by email at carechoice@nd.gov. Individuals can also apply online for services at https://carechoice.nd.assistguide.net/.  

In December 2020, North Dakota entered into an eight-year settlement agreement with USDOJ that is designed to ensure the state meets the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act by providing services, programs and activities for individuals with physical disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. Learn more at www.hhs.nd.gov/us-department-justice-settlement-agreement.